Specific route details for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race are being announced this week via specially-produced videos highlighting each of the race’s eight stages. Today’s videos, which were produced by the cities of San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Modesto, highlight Stages 3 and 4 of the race, and can be found below:
Stage 3: San Francisco to Santa Cruz (Tuesday, May 18)
Starting at Ocean Beach, Stage 3 will cover nearly 120 miles from San Francisco, which hosted the Prologue for the inaugural year of the Amgen Tour of California, to Santa Cruz. The route will take the riders south down the California coastline on Highway 1, flanked by the picturesque backdrops of the Pacific Ocean on one side and Redwood forests on the other. This coastal stage will include three long, but moderate climbs on Tunitas Creek Rd., La Honda Rd. and Bonny Doon Rd., which will all be followed by lengthy and fast descents. The sprint to the finish will follow W. Cliff Dr. along Monterey Bay to an exhilarating conclusion to Stage 3 at the world famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
ROUTE DETAILS
Day: Tue, May 18
Start: San Francisco
Finish: Santa Cruz
Start Time: 11:15 AM
Miles: 113.3
KM: 152.3
End ETA: 3:01-3:41 PM
STAGE MAP
STAGE PROFILE
STAGE LOG
Stage 4: San Jose to Modesto (Wednesday, May 19)
Fans of the Amgen Tour of California may recognize part of Stage 4 from the 2009 race when the cyclists traveled from San Jose to Modesto; however, in 2010, the racers will encounter a longer and more challenging route. Beginning with a climb that is synonymous with cycling and the Amgen Tour of California, the cyclists will head up Sierra Rd. (1,930 ft.) within the first five miles of the stage. This epic climb is destined to be a defining moment in this year’s race. After completing the Sierra Rd. climb, the riders will face fast and flat roads full of twists and turns (Calaveras Rd. alone has more than 40 switchbacks) before visiting downtown Livermore for the first time. The peloton will then turn on to the very difficult Mines Rd., where the riders will face nearly 30 miles of a narrow, twisting road, climbing most of the way before a long descent into Patterson. For the second consecutive year, the stage will finish with two circuits in downtown Modesto.
ROUTE DETAILS
Day: Wed, May 19
Start: San Jose
Finish: Modesto
Start Time: 11:00 AM
Miles: 121.5
KM: 195.5
End ETA: 3:27-4:11 PM
STAGE MAP
STAGE PROFILE
STAGE LOG